Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Some of you in years past have expressed disappointment that the Adult Summer Reading Club never actually meets, other than at the End-of-Summer Party.

Join us on Friday, July 23rd, at 10 am in the meeting room of the Headquarters Library for a Book Talk meeting, to hear about some great titles, new and old, and to talk about any books you'd like to recommend to others. We will also have an optional book swap at this meeting; if you have a good book you don't mind parting with, bring it along for the swap.

We hope you are enjoying the "Just Jennifer" entries and you are getting excited about these upcoming titles. The "Just Jennifer" review copies starting with The Quickening and going through the latest "Just Jennifer" review before July 23 will go as door prizes at the Book Talk meeting, rather than to commenters. Feel free to continue commenting, though!

Please call the Reference Desk at 788-1434 if you are planning to attend the Book Talk, so that we'll have an idea of how many chairs to set up.

What could be more perfect than a wedding in early July on the coast of Maine!Becca Copaken, a summer girl from Manhattan (though her mother insists they are local as Iris’s family, who has lived in the town since 1879) marries local yacht builder John Tetherly, much to the disappointment of John’s mother, Jane; Iris is much more accepting of the union, in spite of the couple’s differences.When the happy couple says, “I do!” the families are bonded forever, and when a tragedy occurs even before the reception, the families are more connected than ever.Iris is headstrong and used to getting her way, often forcing her will on others; John’s mother, Jane, runs a local housekeeping service, and has been cleaning the Copaken’s houses for decades.As each family, and each member of the families, tries to cope with the tragedy in the way they think is best, new, unlikely friendships are forged while old grievances take on new life.A little girl named Samantha charms everyone with her untapped musical talent, including Iris’s father, a virtuoso violinist who is facing Parkinson’s disease as he nears the end of his life.Over the course of four summers, the families grieve, come apart and then finally begin healing as another event that could have been tragic makes them each realize what is important and what is finally over.A well-written, heartbreaking story that explores all the various shapes and foibles of family relationships.

There is something special about an inventor's mind and in particular Nikola Tesla's. He gave us electricity, yes he did as he fought with Edison over AC or DC current and won.... Tesla and Westinghouse lit up the Columbian Exposition in Chicago 1893. There is so much to know about this man but unfortunately this book does not give him the recognition he deserves. It is a fictional work about Tesla that is 90% about the people surrounding his life than about him which is why I do not recommend you read this book, but I encourage everyone to learn more about the man and the times he illuminated.

A very sweet, very true story about the loyalty a dog feels for its owner. My son had told me this story and I know that a film was made with the actor Richard Gere but I wanted to read the real Japanese story of this Akita dog, Hachiko, whose statue stands in the Shibuya train station. Hachiko is a hero, much in the same way as Balto, the sled dog, is a national hero. You will love this short story.

Slow start and a bit confusing, but get through it because this book is worth the read. Great characters, interesting plot, mystery to be solved... I also liked how the story wrapped up the loose ends from the beginning.

Charlotte Bronte, a noted authoress, becomes involved in a plot to kidnap Queen Victoria's children. Adventure, intrigue and espionage follows this young sleuth as she tries to uncover the mastermind behind this crime.

The pace of this book starts off very slow, laying the foundation for the story, and the writing is in a very minimalist style. This is a story about werewolves and is very well written with well developed characters. Shiver is targeted for teens, but I enjoyed reading it, too.

Echoes of Manderley.....the haunting prequel to Rebecca in the imagination of this author. A young Daphne becomes enmeshed in a murder mystery on the cliffs of Cornwall. There rests a house shrouded in mystery and secrets.....and the murder of a beautiful young woamn with secrets of her own. Herein you will read names and images that coalesce into the renowned Rebecca written by Daphne later in life. A clever pastiche of intrigue and a haunting premonition of the greater mystery embodied in Rebecca.....

This was a memoir of a girl growing up in Texas. It's one of those memoirs that is both funny but so sad at the same time. It was ok but I couldn't wait for it to end so I could read something else. It couldn't compete with The Glass Castle which is one of my favorite memoirs (one of my favorite books, actually, of the past few years).

Wonderfully written and very funny at times. The main character is not a nice man, very selfish and infantile, and that's actually half the fun. Especially hearing him rationalize his poor behavior. There are some paragraphs devoted to physics -- he eventually gets involved in solar power research -- but don't let that put you off. You can skim it without missing a thing.

Imagine that - the lovable main character, Bernie, is a criminal! This is the first Lawrence Block book I've read; how cleverly he makes us love a burglar! A funny, light mystery that even a non-mystery-reader such as myself enjoyed.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Told through a series of sessions with a therapist, relating current events with flashbacks, Annie O’Sullivan begins to return to some modicum of normalcy after having been kidnapped and held hostage in a rural cabin on Vancouver Island for almost a year. The year of emotional and physical abuse Annie endured is heart-wrenching enough, but her attempts to return to her old life, and what she learns as the investigation of her abduction progresses, only heighten these feelings and bring the terror more into focus. Parts of the novel are graphic, but the underlying psychological damage that is occurring is even more horrifying. Chevy Stevens deftly captures the pure terror Annie feels while in captivy and distinguishes it from the new terror Annie feels when she returns home. This is an exceptional debut.

This is the first of three books in a series. It is also the first Nora Roberts novel I've read. I liked the story line of the 4 friends running a wedding business. I am anxiously awaiting for my turn for the second book, Bed of Roses!

This book is about an elderly couple who are sick of doctor appointments and of their adult children telling them what to do. They buy an RV and drive away from their old life. The man has the beginnings of Alzhiemer's and she has cancer. This book made me both laugh and cry. A terrific read!

I first found out about this book from the 2009 Adult Summer Reading Club member reviews, and I put it on my To-Read list. I finally got around to it. I was so amazed that it is still high on the New York Times bestseller list, one year later! In fact, it's been on the list for 60 weeks!

I LOVED this book!!! First-time author Kathryn Stockett has absolutely made a name for herself. I am very anxious to see what she'll write next.

The plot revolves around "colored" maids of white families in Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 1960s. I won't give away any more than that. Let me just say that I am amazed and appalled that such shameful behavior was still going on during my lifetime. I hope to God that we, as American people, are above this today.

The absolute strengths of this book are Stockett's characters, dialogue, captivating storytelling, and literary suspense. In fact, when I discussed this book with my book group, someone asked who everyone's favorite character was. Half an hour later, people were still talking about their favorite characters; it was so hard to choose a favorite! Everyone agreed on the villain, who was lots of fun to talk about!

Thank you, bibliophiles, patco81, ddlesmom, Carol, ADAR, Jelsey, Liz, and Judyangel, for reviewing this book last summer and putting it on my radar!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

This is the second book in the Stieg Larsson series. The first, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was good. Fire is even better, don't even try to read it before bed you will not be able to put it down. Can't wait for the final one The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

On one level the story of a young woman returning to her hometown after her father’s death and dealing with her childhood demons, including the divorce of her parents, The Perfect Reader also explores the relationship between the reader and the text, as Flora uses the poems her father left her, as literary executor, to come to terms with the life her father was really living, including his lover, unknown to Flora, Cynthia. Flora ungraciously returns to Darwin, the academic town where her father was so revered and wants to shout out that he wasn’t as great as he seemed; as she works her way through his unpublished poems, she realizes he was a man that she didn’t know, and unless she lets his colleagues, friends, and lover in, she will never know him. The carefully drawn, reserved characters of Flora and Cynthia, sharply contrast with the erotic love poems Lewis has left as his legacy. While Flora isn’t able to work out all of her anger through this exercise of love, she does come to terms with her father’s life she never knew of and makes the first steps toward healing the hurt she has kept inside.

In this metafictional work, best-selling author Olivia Frost has written the last chapters of all her previous novels and combined them into one work. On the day she is to deliver her manuscript to her editor, she learns that her rock star son, Milo, from whom she has been estranged for several years, is under arrest for the murder of his girlfriend, Bettina. Milo and Olivia had a difficult relationship for most of their lives, but especially since a tragic accident in which his father and sister were killed. Unsure what to do, Olivia flies to San Francisco to be at Milo’s side and to look for his forgiveness and to mend the wrongs that have been committed. Olivia’s rewrites are interspersed with current day chapters, slowly giving clues about the accident and what may have caused the mother/son rift. As Olivia and Milo work toward a renewed relationship, much of Milo’s recent life is revealed with surprising consequences. A highly emotional story, The Nobodies Album tells the story of a family in distress and how families often heal themselves. There is also an element of mystery to the plot as mother and son work together to uncover the truth behind Bettina’s death.

I like Les Brown and have enjoyed many of the quotations he has authored like "Reach for the Moon-Even if you miss, you will land among the stars." While this book is full of many good things and Les Brown has a very good sense of humor, the book is a bit disconnected and that is unfortunate as, the author seems to be powerful in his presentation. I think he must be a phenomenal presenter but as an author, well, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would.

A thoughtful novel that traces a college year in the life of a Midwestern girl shortly after the events of September 11th as she experiences her first love, the death of a close family member and spends time with a woman who wishes to adopt a child but who has a secret past and somewhat erratic present. Graceful prose.

Want to spend some time in Italy but cannot afford a tour? Read a true story about Venice through the eyes of a middle-aged new bride who unexpectedly marries a Venetian. Love comes upon her during a business trip. She is an American from St. Louis who ups and changes her life for a blueberried eyed Italian who lives in the magical city of Venice. Marlena is a chef and food critic so the book has many references to delicious meals and some recipes in the back. Fall in love again and immerse yourself in Italian culture as you float through her book and along the romantic canals.

This is a young adult book cowritten by two of my favorite YA authors. It was funny, sweet, and completely over-the-top fabulous! The lives of two teenagers named Will Grayson collide in an unexpected way.

This is a story about three sisters and their fight over an apartment left in their mother's will. Along come the sons of the second husband of their mother and, well, you can guess the rest! Tina, the main character, finally finds her place in the family and the world. I can totally relate to this, having three sisters of my own.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

My Fair Lady is based on this play by George Bernard Shaw. Since I'm hoping to be a part of CAST's production of My Fair Lady this summer, I thought it would be a good read with which to start my summer reading... sort of like "Break a leg!"

Can't recommend this book enough. In the same tradition of his wonderful writer mother, Robin Pilcher's latest book introduces you to characters you really learn to love and care about. Great twists and turns, and does keep you guessing till the end.

Beautifully-written novel. The author explores the sometimes-tenuous relationships between fathers and sons, husbands and wives, vocations and avocations, nature and science, in the context of the main character's imminent death. This is accomplished in the spare framework of under 200 pages, and it is a literary success.

Charming and touching, incredibly poignant, this book will help your faith soar, as a modern-day Jesus aka "Joshua" moves into a sleepy, little town named Auburn and allows the curiosity of the community to discover Him and His message. Unforgettable characters and a strong reminder of the purity of Jesus's message, your faith will surely get stronger by reading this book.

The One that I Wantby Allison Winn Scotch (Shaye Arehart, June 1, 2010)

What if you thought the life you were happily living was the one that you wanted only to learn that maybe you aren’t as happy as you thought you were and neither is everyone else around you? Tilly Farmer is living what she thinks is her dream life: she married her high school sweetheart, the couple lives in a house Tilly’s father bought for them in their home town where Tilly is the high school guidance counselor who gets to plan prom and the musical each year, reliving her high school years over and over again. A chance meeting of a once close grammar school friend, who bequeaths to Tilly the gift of clarity, and Tilly begins seeing things that haven’t happened yet but that will alter the course of her life and the way she sees things. At first, Tilly is a frustrating character, the cheerleader who always fixes things when it is clear her own life is in need of fixing. Little by little, as Tilly accepts the chance she has been given, she is able to deal better with her alcoholic father, her little sister who has run away from her problems, and her own marriage, and maybe can finally find the life she wants to live, and is meant to live.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Quinn is in love with Sage. Of that she is sure. When Sage surprises her with a weekend-get-away and proposal in Paris, she is sure she wants to marry him. Now that she is back in Manhattan, surrounded by her everyday life and the grief she is still dealing with after her father’s death in the World Trade Center collapse, she is not sure of anything. Named Prudence at birth, Quinn has always used her middle name, and now questions whether she was aptly named or if she needs to pay more heed to her given name. Quinn is a new attorney at a large mid-town law firm, has solid, caring friends, a brother with exceptional taste, and a mother who has always been somewhat of an enigma to Quinn, an obstetrician’s wife with a hippy mentality living on the Upper West Side. Leaning on her friends Kayla and Avery, and learning some secrets along the way, Quinn navigates her new life and the new designation she has received: fiancée. I was unsure about recommending this title, it’s a little bit clichéd and light-weight at times, but over a couple of days, Quinn kept fliting in and out of my mind and I think there may be more to the story than originally meets the eye. Not just the story of a newly engaged young woman navigating her way toward marriage, Quinn must find her new place in the world, in her family, her new place with Sage, with Sage’s family, and must confront the demons in her own life and now those in Sage’s.

*Please note, I do not have a review copy of this to share. The library has copies that you can request!

In a novel that explores Jewish tradition and diaspora, a Rabbi from 1889 Poland is frozen in a block of ice after a strong winter storm. Over the next one hundred years, the ancestors of Bernie Karp (a fifteen-year-old living in modern day Memphis, Tennessee), cart the cleric around Eastern Europe, and eventually to Lower Manhattan, as a religious talisman, believing that when the time is right, Rabbi Eliezer will release himself from the ice and his destiny will be revealed. This miracle occurs during a power outage in Tennessee and Bernie Karp (whose main interests in life up to this point are eating and planning when and how to lose his virginity) becomes sure that this is a sign for him and begins to school himself on the ancient and mystical ways of his religion as the Rabbi becomes more secular and opens a House of Enlightenment in a strip mall. The transformation of Bernie and the Rabbi, as Bernie moves from slovenly teen toward the mysticism of Judiasm and the Rabbi trades the mysticism and simplicity he left in 1889 Poland for a more secular life is fascinating to watch develop. The novel ends, of course, in the only way it can, but it is a very fitting end for Bernie and for the Rabbi.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

One of our longtime club members suggested this week's quote to me, and I thought it was appropriate for the beginning of our 2010 club, as we are all deciding on this summer's reading goal for ourselves. As much as we enjoy our summer reading, we are doing more than merely entertaining ourselves. Keep in mind that the more we read, the more we are STILL learning. Thank you, RjS, for the inspiring quote!

Here was the quote that week:

In midlife, it is tempting to succumb to the idea that because you have more years behind you than ahead, what you already know will carry you along.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Just before her ninth birthday, Rose Edelstein learns she has an unusual gift: Rose can taste the emotions of the cook, purveyor or grower of the food she is eating. Rose tastes an unbearable sadness in her mother’s lemon cake that she realizes is deep inside her mother. From then on, Rose is afraid of what she will learn by eating and tries to avoid eating home cooked food as much as possible, not wanting to know, not able to understand, her mother’s inner secrets. As Rose grows through her teenage years, always on the periphery of everything, she senses a change in her parents’ marriage, which had wonderfully romantic beginnings, and a change in her older brother, Joseph, who is having his own difficulties with the world in which he lives. He develops his own gift, his own way of dealing with reality, one that will bring heartache, and truth, to the lives of those he loves. At first, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake seems straightforward, but then a magical realism takes over and the reader becomes lost in Rose and Joe’s world, a world filled with secrets, and one that she must choose to learn to live in, or escape forever.

Build a Better World

The 11th Annual Adult Summer Reading Club has come to a close.

The club's 157 members have read a total of 1,515 books!

Thank you, all, for your enthusiastic participation.

Quote to Inspire

"Fiction, imaginative work that is, is not dropped like a pebble upon the ground, as science may be; fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners."~Virginia Woolf

11th Annual

To see a larger image of this graph, look through the member reviews. It will usually be posted on Friday afternoons.

How to Use this Blog:

To post a review for a book, please submit it via the "Finished a Book" link from the club's webpage: http://www.hclibrary.us/asrc.htm.

Because all posts & comments must be approved by the library, and because the librarians sometimes take summer vacations too, there will be a delay before you see your submission on the blog. Please be patient; your review will appear.